Not all heroes wear capes or ride white horses. Many fight an invisible war with a disease that’s adept at eluding diagnosis and has no cure. They fight an enemy that affects more people than multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, cerebral palsy and AIDS--combined. It robs them of their health, family celebrations, career opportunities, and dreams.

The enemy is lupus and those in the fight need our help. Will you be the hero they need?

By walking in or donating to LUPUS WALK 2018, you can provide the kind of support that saves lives. The funds raised on June 23rd will help pay for New Patient Orientations, Lupus Education and Advocacy Network (L.E.A.N. FORWARD) meetings, medical information, and life-enhancing resources, providedfree of charge, to those in Northeast New York who fight this war every day.

Please join this fight for the family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors who have no choice. You will have fun, you will provide hope, and you will be a hero. Capes are optional (but encouraged).

LEAN Forward is more than a support group. Monthly LEAN Forward gatherings build education and advocacy into each meeting, empowering attendees to live their best lives with lupus.

Many believe health and wellness are fundamentally the same. On the surface, they are similar, but there are significant differences. Understanding those differences can help you develop a wellness mindset. Deborah Faust, Director of Family Engagement & Support Services, Mental Health Association of New York State, will share ways to CREATE A WELLNESS MINDSET.

A lupus diagnosis comes with many questions. Often, those questions can swirl around health decisions, medication choices, and treatment options.

But this diagnosis can affect so many other areas of one's life…

Have you wondered how to protect your employment in the face of health concerns? Do you have questions about Social Security Disability? Wondering whether you should be keeping better records?

On August 10th, at 6pm, attorney Christopher Grover will share valuable information on the legal issues faced by those affected by chronic illnesses, including lupus and related autoimmune diseases. Bring your questions and get answers from our legal expert!

This LEAN Forward event will be a safe space for individuals with chronic illness, and those who love them, to learn how to become better advocates. This event is free, but registration is required. Call 800-300-4198, ext. 2, or email info@lupusupstateny.org for reservations.

Innovation. Collaboration. Expansion. These are words that describe the past twelve months of service provided by the Lupus Alliance of Upstate New York to those suffering with lupus and related autoimmune diseases. It’s time, now, to share what we’ve learned.Join us for Illumination, as we elevate the conversation about lupus and honor those who’ve helped us accomplish so much.

The evening will be hosted by the Barrel Factory, a newly renovated brewery in downtown Buffalo. VIP tickets feature a tour and tasting. A cocktail reception welcomes our guests at 5:15. Our program will recognize heroes in our community, who have helped us shine the light on lupus this year.

The Lupus Alliance of Upstate New York will be the Charity of Honor in the Tavern & Side Room at The Inn at Saratoga. 20% of all food and beverage sales between 4 pm and 9 pm will benefit LAUNY and the Lupus community of NENY.

The Inn at Saratoga, established circa 1843, is located at 231 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Judith Christian, executive director of the Lupus Alliance will be present to share information.

Lupus is the least known major disease of our day. Those with the disease struggle with a multitude of changing symptoms, pain, and not knowing what is happening to them, for an average of five years, before even being diagnosed. Imagine waiting for anything for 5 years, let alone an answer to what’s hurting you! What’s more, lupus affects each person differently, making the lupus journey a very lonely path.

The 2017 Walk to Shine the Light on Lupus is more than a fundraiser. It's a pledge to thousands of Central New Yorkers that they are not alone. We are walking with and for them, to provide the help and hope they need to be strong and to live their best lives. We are advocating, raising awareness and funding research for earlier detection, better treatment and, ultimately, a cure.

Your contribution will help provide vital resources, new patient orientations and support group meetings, free of charge, for lupus patients and their loved ones. With your help, we can shine the light on lupus and light their path.

Lupus is the least known major disease of our day. Those with the disease struggle with a multitude of changing symptoms, pain, and not knowing what is happening to them, for an average of five years, before even being diagnosed. Imagine waiting for anything for 5 years, let alone an answer to what’s hurting you! What’s more, lupus affects each person differently, making the lupus journey a very lonely path.

The 2017 Walk to Shine the Light on Lupus is more than a fundraiser. It is a pledge to nearly 13,000 North Eastern New Yorkers that they are not alone. We are walking with and for them, to provide the help and hope they need to be strong and to live their best lives. We are advocating, raising awareness and funding research for earlier detection, better treatment and, ultimately, a cure.

Your contribution will help provide vital resources, new patient orientations and support group meetings, free of charge, for lupus patients and their loved ones. With your help, we can shine the light on lupus and light their path.

Learn the keys to living your best life! Our spring symposium in Central New York is a chance for you to focus on you and your health. This event is designed to empower people living with lupus and other autoimmune diseases.

Experts will share knowledge from their respective fields on how you can live your best life with an autoimmune disease. Question and answer session will follow.